Research Unit for University's System Reform of Higher Education and Academic Research

Overview

With a strong recognition of the paradigm shift toward a knowledge-intensive society, there has been a widespread discussion of university education and research system reform as a policy issue to promote more effective scientific and technical innovation and realize a revolution in human resource development. In the Growth Strategy 2017 (June 9, 2017) and the New Economic Policy Package (December 8, 2017), the Japanese government has stipulated their plans for implementation in the near future.

This research unit will address the significant and urgent needs of society for policy research and scientific advice in the fields of university research and education systems. It will conduct research and share results on themes such as the paradigm shift toward a knowledge-intensive society and universities transitioning to regional hub of knowledge network, as well as the revolution in the university education system (addressing issues including free higher education and strengthening areas of growth and recurrent education).

Research

Main research topics

The paradigm shift toward a knowledge-intensive society and universities transitioning to regional hub of knowledge network

Reform in the university education system (addressing issues including free higher education, and areas of growth including AI and strengthening recurrent education)

Director

Ichiro Sakata (Professor, Policy Alternatives Research Institute / Professor, Graduate School of Engineering / Special Advisor to the President)